Vinny Del Negro concerned about Clippers’ health entering Game 2

SAN ANTONIO -- The health of the Clippers’ two star players remained a central concern to coach Vinny Del Negro as the team prepares for Game 2 against the Spurs Thursday night.

Clippers point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin are both nursing injuries that slowed them during Game 1, which the team lost, 108-92. Paul made only three of 13 shots for six points, while Griffin managed to score 15 points.

Del Negro said their health remains “a little bit” of a mystery going into the game tonight.

“They’ve got to play well,” Del Negro said of Griffin and Paul. “They’ve got to play at a high level for us and I feel like we’ll play better tonight, but we’ve got to go out there and do it.

“At the end of the day, things are going to be run through Chris and Blake a lot.”

Del Negro also reiterated that he does not want to get into a “track meet” with the Spurs, and said the team had to go with a small lineup Tuesday because they were down by early. He again praised big man DeAndre Jordan, calling him “active” and adding that he “deserved some more minutes” in Game 1.

The Clippers are coming off a seven-game series with the Memphis Grizzlies that the coach called “very different” in terms of playing style.

“I’m hoping we adapt a little bit better than we did the other night,” Del Negro said.

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Vinny Del Negro concerned about Clippers’ health entering Game 2